Profile on Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida
Breaking down the light heavyweight champ's fighting style
Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 4:50 PM
By Jason Reynolds
The UFC's light heavyweight division has long held some of the most dynamic fighters in all of mixed martial arts, but none may be more skilled than Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida.
On October 24th in Los Angeles, the talented Brazilian takes his perfect record into the Octagon as he challenges Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for the UFC light heavyweight title. Machida has risen through the ranks of the UFC's most electric division by using his unorthodox style, confusing and frustrating opponents on the road to his 15-0 record. He recently won the UFC light heavyweight title by destroying the previously undefeated Rashad Evans. Machida has used his Shotokan Karate background and adapted it successfully to MMA, carving out his own path to become an elite fighter.
Shotokan Karate is a traditional style of karate that develops strong basic techniques and unorthodox stances. It's characterized by developing a wide base that provides stability and a solid foundation. The unique fighting style enables fighters to avoid damage while looking for an explosive counter-attack. The training is normally divided into three parts: kihon (karate basics), kata (developing patterns and movement which include punches, kicks, throws, sweeps, and blocks against imaginary opponents), and kumite (the application of kata to real opponents). The combination of the three stages of Shotokan training teaches swift attacks to the head or body using primarily counter-attacks. The techniques emphasize timing and distance in an attack of an opponent.
Machida's father was a long-time Shotokan Master who trained his children in the ways of the Samurai at an early age. "The Dragon" has been developing his art for most of his life. In his MMA career, he has defeated notable fighters such as Rich Franklin, BJ Penn, and Thiago Silva. His style is often described as elusive. He creates his wide Shotokan stance, giving him the ability to lean into or away from his attacker. He cautiously waits until his opponent makes a mistake, and then once they do, Machida attacks them with a vicious barrage of punches, kicks, knees, and throws.
In Shotokan karate, each strike is intended to have the placement and the power to cripple an opponent. That Machida has never lost a single round in his UFC career speaks volumes about his unorthodox style. It obviously works.
Because of the success of the current UFC light heavyweight champion, and as Machida himself emphatically declared upon winning the title, "karate is back." Now there's one additional fighting discipline that mixed martial artists will either need to learn to incorporate into their repertoires, or they will have to learn to respect it. Even in a stacked division, Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida could hold the title for a long time.
MORE:
- Photos: Machida's KOs, Kicks and Signature Moves
- Great Title Bout Headlines UFC 104
- Full MMA Coverage at MSG Fight Club
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